1979 Morgan +8 Turbo

Featured in an August 1980 Road & Track article wearing TURBO +8 registration plates, this car was modified from new by U.S. Morgan Importer Isis, who fitted an LPG (liquid petroleum gas - propane) conversion and turbocharger to its 3.5 Rover V8.

These modifications substantially raised the all-aluminum, Buick-based engine’s output from 155 to 225 hp, which really is quite a substantial figure for a car weighing under 2,300 pounds.

Though details changed throughout the +8’s half century-long production run, including fitment of airbags, computers, and other unavoidable concessions to modernity, its Morgan fundamentals remained. These include hand-beaten aluminum bodywork over a semi-structural ash wood skeleton and steel ladder chassis with ancient sliding pillar independent front and leaf-sprung solid axle rear suspension.

BRG, black, and brown are traditional, tough-to-beat colors, and attractive factory 14” alloy wheels with 195/70 Yokohama tires fill out the fenders quite well. Check out the cool wire headlight protectors, as well as Morgan club and rally badges fitted to a bar spanning twin Lumax driving lamps.

The intimate cabin is accessed via miniscule cut-down doors, though simply stepping over them is probably the easier option (with the top down, naturally). The Nardi steering wheel’s rim is the only wood on display, though of course there’s plenty underneath.

Brown leather covers most surfaces, and the large Smiths tach and speedometer are joined by gauges monitoring fuel level, coolant temp, oil pressure, and volts. Side curtains are included.

Power comes from a Rover 3.5 liter, all-aluminum V8 based on a licensed Buick design. The engine runs on propane rather than gasoline, and was further modified from new with a turbocharger running a modest six pounds of boost. A 5-speed manual routes power to the limited-slip diff-equipped back axle.

As previously noted, this car features prominently in the August, 1980 issue of Road & Track magazine. It is sold with extensive documentation.

There’s nothing else like a Morgan. They offer a totally unique driving and ownership experience, and these V8 cars are arguably the best of the breed–with a turbo, this one must be quite a rocket.